Tire building form



Oct. 11, 1938. QTEVENS AL 2,132,834

TIRE BUILDING FORM Filed Jan. 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR Horace D. 5120615 8v Raymond YT. Allen ATTORNEY H. D. sTEv'-Ns ET AL TIRE BUJPLDING FORM Oct. 11, 1938.

w v M Filed Jan. 2 2, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Hora-o2 11 Stevens 5c Rdmond M Allen ATTORNEY 1 1, 1938. H. p. sfgvl-zws r' AL 34 TIREJBML ING FORM Filed-Jan. 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet :s

INVENT OR Horace D. Steven 6r k Raymond D- Allen ATTORNEY Oct. 11, 1938.

H. D. STEVENS ET AL TIRE BUILDING FORM Filed an. 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 mu @m INVENTOR Horace D. ffreueras 3c Raymond W. Allen ATTORNEY Oct. 11, 1938. H D. STEVENS ET AL TIRE BUILDING FORM Filed Jan. 22, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I= LIE M w w m T s man w Vee T mu m R bW/A m m0. mw m o Y B Patented Oct. 11, 1938 IRE ""Ohir'gassignors to The Firestone Tire &Rubbei'"" C0nip:a.i1y,' Akron, hi;0,"'a corporation of a er e Jewr a as e l we 7 Claims. (01. l54-' 9) This invention relates to tire building forms or drums of the collapsible type, and more especially it relates to collapsible f ormsused for: the fabrication of tire'bands in semi-flat form. "In the fabrication of tire bands for heavy duty tires such as comprise dualbead cores, it is essential that the latter and adjacent. bead structure of the tire be arranged substantially in the same angular positions they have in the finished tire, such arrangement preventing twisting and distortion of the beads in the subsequent shaping of the band to tire form. Modern practice is to construct tires with relatively small bead diameter, and tire building drums for constructing heavy duty tires of the character described require to be of such large radial area that much difficulty has been encountered in the past in providing building drums that will collapse sufficiently to permit removal of the tires built thereon.

The chief object of the invention is to provide an improved tire building'drum that will colla'pse suifiic-iently to permit heavy duty tires asily to .be r o ed t r rom- More specifically the invention aims to provide an improved sectional collapsible drum wherein some of the sections are collapsed and moved out of the operative plane of the drum before the other sections are collapsed. Other objects are to provide simplicity of construction and ease and facility of assembling. Other objects will be manifest.

Of the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is an end elevation of the improved I tire building form in normal expanded operative condition;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similarto Figure 1 showing the form in partly collapsed conditioni" l Figure l'is a verticalsection similar to Figure 2 showing the form in fully collapsed condition; Figure 5 is a section on the line '-5 oi Figure Figure 6 is a section on the line Ii-4i of Figure Figure 7 is a section on the line 'I'I of Figure Figure 8 is a section on the line 88 of Figure 6- 2 v Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig ure2' thereof, IQ is the front main'bearingof a tire building machine of known or preferred esi id a in prqi t ne outw rd y om the ma i a s ain ib rn'a 'ed said bearing and projecting beyond the outerend of the same, said quill being arranged to be power driven by any suitable driving means (not shofwny Mounted in the quill Ii is an axial spindle I2 that normally is driven by said quill, but arranged for axial movement relatively thereof, upon occasion, as subsequently will be explained. Mounted upon the spindle I2, in

' extension of the quill II, is a sleeve I3, and the latter and said quill are coupled to each other by means of a coupling member I4 keyed to sleeve I3 and a coupling member I5 keyed to quill II, said coupling members being secured to each other bymeans of cap screws I6, I6,

Figured. There is a bearing bushing I! between the spindle I2 and the outer end portion of the sleeve I3.

Mounted upon the outer end of sleeve I3 is a spider I9 comprising four short, radiallyextending arms Isa, Isa, said arms being symmetrically disposed at right angles to each other, and each carrying two radially extending guide rods 20, 2|], the guide rods of each pair being disposed in the same plane, which. plane is parallel to the axis of spindle 12 As is most, clearly shown in Figure 4, the spider arms I9a substantially overhang the end of sleeve I3 and the hub portion or the spider. To facilitate assembly of the devi e, and to adapt it to use with drums of various diameters, the guide rods 26 are made in two parts, each having an extension Zflu threaded onto its outer end. ,It will .be obvious that extensions a of various lengths may be provided according to the diameter of the drum in use. The spider I9 is secured to the sleeve I3 by a pair of cap screws 2|, 2|, one of which extends through bushing "I1 and into engagement with a key 22 that is positioned withinan elongate slot or keyway 23 extending longitudinally of spindle I2. Another key 24 between sleeve 'I3 and spider I 9 may be provided if desired. The arrangement is such that quill II drives spinlde I2 through 'the' agency of sleeve I3 and key 22, yet permits axial movement of the said spindle relatively of said quill and sleeve. Slidably rnou'nted'upon each pair of guide rods 20 is an intermediate section 25 of a sectional tire building form or drum, which drum includes four key sections 25, 26 disposed between said intermediate sections.

As is: most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tire building form comprises a pair of trimm'ing 'rings 2i}, 28 formed with circumferential tongues and grooves that'are adapted to interfit withboriiinlemerital tongues and grooves on the inner periphery of the lateral portions of the drum. Set screws 29, 29 threaded radially through each ring and engaging the drum structure are provided for retaining the rings 28 in place on the drum. The rings 23 serve to increase the radial area of the drum, and constitute detachable stitching surfaces upon which tire building fabric and the tire beads may be mounted. The rings 28 hold the drum sections fixedly in their proper relative positions during the operation of building a tire on the drum. They also serve to cover and obscure notches in the inner circumference ,of the lateral portions of the drum, which notches-are formed by the cutting off of the inner corners of the key sections 25, as shown at 39, 39, Figs. land 3, to permit said key sectionsv to pass the guide rods when they are moved axially, relatively of the intermediate sections 25 of the drum. The

rings 28 are removed from the drum before the latter is collapsed to remove a finished tire therefrom.

The intermediate sections 25 of the drum are moved radially inwardly in the collapsing of the drum, as shown in Figure 5, after the key sections 25 have been moved radially inwardly and then moved axially out of the operative plane of the drum. For drawing the said intermediate sections radially inwardly, an elongate spider 3| is journaled upon bearing bushings 32, 32 mounted upon sleeve l3, the end of said spider nearest spider l9 having four links 33, 33 pivotally connected thereto at equally spaced points, the other ends of said links being pivotally connected to the respective intermediate sections 25. The arrangement is such that angular movement of the spider 3| relatively of the sleeve l3 will move the drum sections 25 radially inwardly or outwardly. In the fully collapsed condition of the drum, the journals of the guide rods 29 on the drum sections 25 abut the ends of the respective spider arms |9a, as shown in Figure 5,

whereby angular movement of the spider 3| relatively of sleeve l3 is limited in one direction.

In the fully expanded condition of the drum,'

movement of said spider 3| relatively of sleeve I3 is limited in the opposite direction.

The spider 3| is arranged to be manually rotated relatively of sleeve l3, and to this end said spider has its rear end formed with a radially extending flange 36 that is formed with a plurality of radially disposed sockets M, 31 for the reception of a suitable lever (not shown) by which said spider may be rotated. In order that the spider 3| may be turned relatively of the sleeve |3 it is required that the latter be positively restrained against rotation, and for this purpose a slide bolt 38 is slidably mounted in ,a bore 39 formed in a boss 49 that extends longitudinally of bearing structure H], on the upper side thereof, said bore 39 being parallel to the axis of spindle I2. The boss 49 is formed with a longitudinally extending slot 4| that extends into bore 39, and a hand lever 42 extends through said slot and isconnected to said slide bolt. The ends of slot 4| have short, laterally extending portions in which the lever 42 may be positioned to hold the bolt 38 securely in projected or retracted position. In. projected position the bolt 38 extends beyond the outer end of bracket l0 so that it may engage in one of a pair of bores or sockets 43, 43 formed in respective bosses 44 Io-rmed'on coupling member arms 46a, 48a, which arms overhang the spider on one end thereof, and are intercalated with the spider arms |9a of spider IS in the opera tive, expanded condition of the drum, as shown in Figure 2. Each spider arm 46a carries two radially extending guide rods 41, 41 that are arranged similarly to the guide rods 23, and in the operative condition of the drum, the guide rods '29 and 41 are disposed in alternation in two parallel, vertical planes that are disposed transversely of the axis of spindle I2, as shown in Figure 2, Like the guide rods 29, each rod 4'! has an extension 41a threaded onto its outer end. Slidably mounted upon each pair of guide rods 47 is a key section 26 of the tire building drum, said key sections being slidable radially on said guide rods from an innermost position in-abutting relation to the spider arms 46a, as shown in Figure 4, in the collapsed condition of the drum,'to an outermost position between and in operative continuity with the intermediate sections 25, as shown in Figure 1, in the expandoperative condition of the drum.

For moving said key sections radially as described,a spider 49 is journaled upon a bearing bushing 56 on spindle l2, beside spider 46 thereon, said spider 49 having four links 5|, 5| pivotally connected thereto" at equally spaced points, the other ends of said links being connected to the respective drum sections 26. The spider 49 is restrained against axial movement toward the outer end of the spindle l2 by a collar 52 keyed to said spindle. The hub portion of spider 45 is polygonal in shape, as shown at 53, so that a suitable turning tool, such as a socket wrench (not shown) may be applied thereto for turning the spider 49 angularly relatively of the-spindle I2 to the end that the drum sections 26 may be moved radially inwardly or outwardly. Augular movement of the spider 49 for moving the drum sections outwardly is limited by means of a lug or abutment 54 formed on one of said drum sections, which lug is engaged by one of the links 5| as the latter moves the drum section to; ultimate position in the expanding of the drum.

Operation is projected outwardly into one of the sockets 43 v of coupling member l5, as shown in full lines in Figure 2, and the trimming rings 28 are disengaged from the drum by loosening their set screws 29. The operator then applies a suitable wrench to the hub portion 53 of spider 49, and turns it angularly in the direction that causes links 5| to draw the key sections 26 of the drum radially inwardly, as is most clearly shown in Figure 3. In the innermost positions of key sections 26, the outer peripheral surfaces thereof are disposed inwardly of the beads of a tire built on the drum, so that said sections easily pass through the central opening of the tire. Said key sections are removed from the tire by the operator, who pulls the spindle I2 axially outwardly of the quill II and sleeve I4, whereby the key sections and mechanism connected thereto are moved out of the operative plane of the drum, as shown in Figure 4.

The operator then inserts a suitable lever in one of the sockets 31 of spider-flange 36, and by means of said lever rotates spider 3| in the direction to cause links 33 to draw the intermediate drum sections 25 radially inwardly to the positions shown in Figure 5. The finished tire may then be lifted off the intermediate sections 25 and passed axially over the collapsed key sections 26 and thus removed from the machine. The drum is restored to its original operative position by reversing the operations described.

The structure is easily and quickly adapted for use with tire building drums of various sizes and widths, and it achieves the other objects set out in the foregoing statement of objects.

Modification may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tire building drum of the type having a transversely fiat peripheral portion and radially inwardly extending lateral working surfaces upon which at least the bead portions of a tire are built, the combination of a plurality of collapsible drum sections, means permanently connected to said sections for moving them relatively of each other to collapse the form, removable, endless rings mounted upon the respective sides of the drum, at the inner periphery thereof, so as to constitute inward detachable stitching surfaces in continuation of and coplanar with said lateral working surfaces, said rings interlocking with the drumstructure through the agency of laterally extending tongue and groove connections so as to prevent movement of the drum sections relatively of each other, and means extending radially through said rings for securing them to the drum structure.

2. In a collapsible tire building form, the combination of inwardly movable groups of key sections and intermediate sections, a power-driven quill, a spindle keyed within said quill and movable axially thereof, means for supporting one of said groups of form sections upon said spindle, means journaled on the spindle and movable angularly thereof for moving the form sections on the spindle inwardly, means for'supporting another group of form sections upon the quill, and means movable angularly relatively of the quill for moving the last mentioned form sections inwardly, after the first mentioned form sections have been moved inwardly and laterally out of the operative plane of the form.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2 including means for locking the quill against rotation during intervals when it is not being driven.

4. In a collapsible tire building form, the combination of a group of key sections and a group of intermediate sections, a power-driven quill, a spindle keyed within said quill and movable axially thereof, a spider fixed to said quill and formed with overhanging arms, a pair of radially disposed guide rods carried by each of said spider'arms upon which an intermediate form section is slidably mounted, said guide rods being disposed on opposite sides of the central plane of the form, a second spider fixed to the spindle and formed with overhanging arms adapted to be intercalated with the arms of the first men tioned spider, a pair of radially disposed guide rods carried by each arm of the second spider, which guide rods are disposed in the same planes as the first mentioned guide rods, on opposite sides of the central plane of the form, there being a key section mounted upon each pair of said last mentioned guide rods, means carried by the quill for radially moving the intermediate form sections longitudinally of their guide rods, and means carried by the spindle for radially moving the key sections longitudinally of their guide rods.

5. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which the means for radially moving the intermediate form sections and key sections are swiveled on the quill and spindle respectively.

6. A combination as defined in claim 4 including means for locking the quill to a fixed structure to prevent rotation of the quill during the collapsing and expanding of the form.

7. In a tire building form of the type having a a transversely fiat peripheral portion and radially inwardly extending lateral portions upon which at least the bead portions of a tire are built, the combination of a plurality of radially movable form sections, means connected to said sections for moving them radially, relatively of each other, to collapse the form, certain of said sections being cut away at the opposite ends of their radially innermost portions to permit maximum collapsing movement, and rings mounted upon the respective sides of the form to span said cut away regions and to provide stitching surfaces on the sides of the form.

HORACE D. STEVENS.

RAYMOND W. ALLEN. 

